Part 6 (1/2)

For I have oft seen put to the test the truth of the proverb: Till thou a bushel of salt with a new acquaintance hast eaten, Be not too ready to trust him; for time alone renders thee certain How ye shall fare with each other, and how well your friends.h.i.+p shall prosper.

Let us then rather at first make inquiries among the good people By whom the maiden is known, and who can inform us about her.”

”Much I approve of thy caution,” the preacher replied as he followed.

”Not for ourselves is the suit, and 'tis delicate wooing for others.”

Towards the good magistrate, then, the men directed their footsteps, Who was again ascending the street in discharge of his duties.

Him the judicious pastor at once addressed and with caution.

”Look! we a maiden have here descried in the neighboring garden, Under an apple-tree sitting, and making up garments for children

”Out of second-hand stuff that somebody doubtless has given; And we were pleased with her aspect: she seems like a girl to be trusted.

Tell us whatever thou knowest: we ask it with honest intentions.”

Soon as the magistrate nearer had come, and looked into the garden, ”Her thou knowest already,” he said; ”for when I was telling Of the heroic deed performed by the hand of that maiden, When she s.n.a.t.c.hed the man's sword, and delivered herself and her charges, This was the one! she is vigorous born, as thou seest by her stature; Yet she is good as strong, for her aged kinsman she tended Until the day of his death, which was finally hastened by sorrow Over his city's distress, and his own endangered possessions.

Also, with quiet submission, she bore the death of her lover, Who a high-spirited youth, in the earliest flush of excitement, Kindled by lofty resolve to fight for a glorious freedom, Hurried to Paris, where early a terrible death he encountered.

For as at home, so there, his foes were deceit and oppression.”

Thus the magistrate spoke. The others saluted and thanked him, And from his purse a gold-piece the pastor drew forth:--for the silver He had some hours before already in charity given, When he in mournful groups had seen the poor fugitives pa.s.sing;-- And to the magistrate handed it, saying: ”Apportion the money 'Mongst thy dest.i.tute people, and G.o.d vouchsafe it an increase.”

But the stranger declined it, and, answering, said: ”We have rescued Many a dollar among us, with clothing and other possessions, And shall return, as I hope, ere yet our stock is exhausted.”

Then the pastor replied, and pressed the money upon him: ”None should be backward in giving in days like the present, and no one Ought to refuse to accept those gifts which in kindness are offered.

None can tell how long he may hold what in peace he possesses, None how much longer yet he shall roam through the land of the stranger, And of his farm be deprived, and deprived of the garden that feeds him.”

”Ay, to be sure!” in his bustling way interrupted the doctor: ”If I had only some money about me, ye surely should have it, Little and big; for certainly many among you must need it.

Yet I'll not go without giving thee something to show what my will is, Even though sadly behind my good-will must lag the performance.”

Thus, as he spoke, by its straps his embroidered pocket of leather, Where his tobacco was kept, he drew forth,--enough was now in it Several pipes to fill,--and daintily opened, and portioned.

”Small is the gift,” he added. The justice, however, made answer: ”Good tobacco can ne'er to the traveller fail to be welcome.”

Then did the village doctor begin to praise his canister.

But the clergyman drew him away, and they quitted the justice.

”Let us make haste,” said the thoughtful man: ”the youth's waiting in torture; Come I let him hear, as soon as he may, the jubilant tidings.”

So they hastened their steps, and came to where under the lindens Hermann against the carriage was leaning. The horses were stamping Wildly the turf; he held them in check, and, buried in musing, Stood, into vacancy gazing before him; nor saw the two envoys, Till, as they came, they called out and made to him signals of triumph.

E'en as far off as they then were, the doctor began to address him; But they were presently nearer come and then the good pastor Grasped his hand and exclaimed, interrupting the word of his comrade: ”Hail to thee, O young man! thy true eye and heart have well chosen; Joy be to thee and the wife of thy youth; for of thee she is worthy.

Come then and turn us the wagon, and drive straightway to the village, There the good maid to woo, and soon bring her home to thy dwelling.”

Still, however, the young man stood, without sign of rejoicing Hearing his messenger's words, though heavenly they were and consoling.

Deeply he sighed as he said: ”With hurrying wheels we came hither, And shall be forced, perchance, to go mortified homeward and slowly.

For disquiet has fallen upon me since here I've been waiting, Doubt and suspicion and all that can torture the heart of a lover.

Think ye we have but to come, and that then the maiden will follow Merely because we are rich, while she is poor and an exile?

”Poverty, too, makes proud, when it comes unmerited! Active Seems she to be, and contented, and so of the world is she mistress.

Think ye a maiden like her, with the manners and beauty that she has, Can into woman have grown, and no worthy man's love have attracted?

Think ye that love until now can have been shut out from her bosom?

Drive not thither too rashly: we might to our mortification Have to turn softly homewards our horses' heads. For my fear is That to some youth already this heart has been given; already This brave hand has been clasped, has pledged faith to some fortunate lover.

Then with my offer, alas! I should stand in confusion before her.”

Straightway the pastor had opened his lips to speak consolation, When his companion broke in, and said in his voluble fas.h.i.+on: ”Years ago, forsooth, unknown had been such a dilemma.

All such affairs were then conducted in regular fas.h.i.+on.